In the rising prices of non-ferrous metals, copper prices have not only hit new highs repeatedly, but have also been playing a leading role. In mid-May, international copper prices hit a record high of US$8,800 per ton, a five-fold increase from US$1,330 per ton in early 2001. At the beginning of 2006, copper futures prices had soared by 60%. Subsequently, from the end of May to the present, copper prices have experienced oscillations and corrections due to pressure from fund selling. The entire market has been so volatile and the frequency of switching is too high. It is still at a high level above $7,000. The rise in copper prices is the result of the rapid increase in international and domestic demand, the relative shortage of supply and fund speculation. It has had a serious negative impact on China's copper smelting, processing and consumption enterprises.
 
The Indian government's tax on iron ore exports has a direct impact on my country's 2008 iron ore price negotiations. Recently, several investment institutions have revised their forecasts for mineral prices in 2008. Macquarie Bank, Australia's largest investment bank, changed its forecast to a rise of 10%, while it had previously expected a drop of 15%. Citigroup also revised its forecast from a drop of 20% to a rise. 7%. Looking back at the iron ore price negotiations in recent years, we have been unable to take the initiative. Some people in the industry lamented: No country in the world has a huge share like ours, but cannot have a say in pricing.
 
Steel is one of the main raw materials consumed by power supply companies. Under the fierce price competition among domestic power supply companies, the price of steel has a significant impact on the cost of power supply companies. At the same time, with the further upgrading of the global solar industry, the supply shortage of polysilicon has triggered an increase in wafer prices; the pressure to increase the price of petroleum products has gradually been released, and the manufacturing costs of related industries have increased significantly, which has also driven up the prices of other raw materials; the accessories required for power equipment have also increased. Prices increased one after another. It is understood that the soaring lead price has made batteries the most affected product, followed by complete equipment such as UPS. Some joint venture brands rely on imported raw materials, so the cost pressure is even more severe than that of domestic manufacturers. "Global raw material prices are rising, cost pressure has become unbearable, and many factories are losing money"...